Service CoordinationSupervisor. Camino Real
Community Services is seeking a SC supervisor who will manage and supervise
service coordinators. This position will ensure implementation of local
authority functions for individuals diagnosed with Intellectual and Development
Disabilities (IDD) enrolled in Medicaid waivers and other programs. This position will be housed at the IDD
Admin. Office located in Floresville and will also service as the office
manager for this location. Submit resume to
Camino Real Community Services, Attn: HRS, P.O. Box 725, Lytle, TX 78052 or fax to 830-772-4304. Visit www.caminorealcs.org for applications and
other details. EOE.

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Dogs help kids learn

It turns out dogs not only are good for our health, finding missing people, and helping disabled people live independent lives -- they’re good for kids’ report cards, too!

Canines have been found to improve the immune system and reduce blood pressure, among other health benefits. They help rescuers and law officers, blind people, and those with limited use of their hands and arms. Now we have another reason to celebrate man’s best friend.

“Dogs not only help children learn to read, they help children learn to love reading,” said Michael Amiri, coauthor with his wife, Linda, of the children’s book, Shellie, the Magical Dog. “And that’s true for children with and without learning disabilities.”

A Minnesota pilot project called PAWSitive Readers finds that trained therapy dogs helped 10 of 14 grade-school participants improve their reading skills by one grade level. Additionally, a University of California study showed that children who read to the family dog improved their ability by an average of 12 percent.

•No embarrassment: “Most of us have memories of reading out loud in class,” he said. “Though we may have been proficient readers, the fear of stumbling on a word in front of everyone was a constant source of anxiety.” Dogs are excellent for unconditional, nonjudgmental love; they won’t laugh if and when mistakes happen.

•Confidence boosters: “I never had a dog while growing up, which is too bad because I think I would have had an easier time gaining self-confidence,” Amiri said. As an adult, he discovered the many benefits of dogs through his and his wife’s very special Maltese, Shellie. She’s often the center of attention in their community at pet-friendly restaurants, where she laps her water out of a martini glass. And she has a full-time job as the greeter at Linda’s hair and nail salon. “If a little dog can give me, a grown man, more confidence, imagine what it can do for kids,” he said.

•Polite listeners: Like humans, dogs are social creatures, and most enjoy the sound of a calm voice speaking to them. Many -- except perhaps the most energetic breeds -- seem to enjoy curling up on a rug and listening to a story being read aloud. They don’t interrupt (except for the occasional ear scratch or to sniff a body part), and they often show appreciation for the attention.

•A fun approach to schoolwork: Too often, when children think of studying, they think of time spent hunched over a desk struggling alone to work out problems and memorize lists. Interacting with a lovable, fuzzy friend for an hour of homework is an appealing alternative.

•Win-win: A canine-student reading program is a great way to help service dogs-in-training learn patience and discipline. Dogs are trained to help veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder, the blind, and people who use wheelchairs, among others. These dogs in training help children, while children improve a dog’s service abilities.